How to Make Cold Brew Iced Tea at Home?
- Devrim Karagoz
- May 25
- 8 min read
Who can say no to a refreshing drink in the scorching heat of summer? Especially if it is prepared with completely natural ingredients without any additives… Cold brew ice tea is a practical and delicious way to cool down. Moreover, you can easily prepare it at home.
In this article, we share the tips for making cold brew iced tea at home with Mama Ram's natural tea varieties, recipe suggestions, and things to consider when choosing tea.
What is Cold Brew? Not Just Brewing, A Culture of Slowness
Cold brew, as the name suggests, means “cold brew.” But it’s not just a matter of temperature. It also refers to a culture of drinks that are not rushed but rather patiently brewed over time. Just like a good blend, a good cold brew takes time.
In the classic brewing method, tea leaves are steeped in boiling water for a short time; this heat quickly releases the tannins and caffeine in the leaves. In contrast, cold brew is made by slowly steeping the tea at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 8 to 12 hours. This method allows the aromatic oils, fruit essences, floral notes and spice characters in the tea to gently and evenly transfer into the water.
Why Is It So Loved?
Velvety drink without bitterness: Since less tannin is released during cold brewing, there will be no disturbing bitterness or dryness on the tongue in your tea.
Low caffeine, high pleasure: Cold water does not draw caffeine from the leaves as quickly as hot water, which provides more balanced energy.
The aroma that unfolds layer by layer on the palate: Especially in blends containing fruit, flowers and spices, cold brew offers a much richer experience with both its taste and smell.
An easy-to-digest, refreshing option on hot summer days: It does not strain the stomach like hot drinks, and is not overpowering like sugary drinks.
Why Is Cold Brew More Effective Than Blended Teas?
At Mama Ram, we believe that tea is not just a “beverage” but a cultural and sensory experience. That’s why our blends are based on rich ingredients like fruit peels, flower petals, dried herbs and spice particles, not just a single type of caffeinated leaf . The cold brew method allows these ingredients to be released slowly into the water.
All of these components are revealed in a much more subtle and layered way in cold brew, without the “shock effect” of hot water.
Which Teas Are Suitable for Cold Brew?
Cold brew can be a bit surprising for those who are used to hot brewing, because this method changes the character of the tea. A softer, more refined and more layered flavor emerges. This makes it ideal for aromatic and balanced blended teas rather than single-leaf teas.
As Mama Ram, we are not limited to classic black or green teas when making iced tea. Our specially formulated teas containing fruits, flowers, spices and natural aromas offer a completely different flavor universe with the cold brew method.
Black Teas
• Orange Pekoe: Ideal for classic lovers. With its rich body, it preserves its character even in cold brew.
• Earl Grey: Fresh and lively even in cold brew thanks to the bergamot essence.
Green Teas
• Gunpowder: With its slightly smoky and earthy notes in cold brew, it offers a refreshing drink when combined with ice.
• Sencha: For green tea lovers, it gives energy on hot days with its lively and herbaceous profile.
White Teas & Special Blends for Cold Brew
• Silver Needle: Floral and elegant with fine needle leaves. A sophisticated tea that opens "silently" in cold brew.
• White Peony: An ideal summer drink with its natural sweetness and floral character.
• Apple Martini (White Tea Based Blend): Apple, lemon peel, lemongrass and white tea... This blend was created for cold brew with its natural sweetness and refreshingness.
• Shirley Temple (Rooibos Based Fruity-Spicy Blend): The caffeine-free comfort of Rooibos is accompanied by sweet and spicy touches such as pomegranate, cinnamon and vanilla. A deep and exotic flavor profile in cold brew.
• Piña Colada (Oolong Based Tropical & Creamy Blend): A tropical getaway with pineapple and coconut! The full-bodied structure of oolong tea preserves its aroma carrier even in cold brewing.
Why Ice Tea with Blended Teas?
While it is possible to make iced tea with just black or green tea, the blends make a difference for a truly impressive iced tea experience. Mama Ram teas are specially formulated with seasonal harmony, flavor balance and visual appeal in mind. These features become even more pronounced in cold brewing.
Cold Brew Ice Tea Recipe at Home (Step by Step Guide)
Making cold brew iced tea at home is much easier than you think. However, in order to get a delicious and balanced result, you need to pay attention to some important details. Especially if your tea is a Mama Ram blend, the brewing time and ratios are quite decisive for the fruit, flower and spice notes to come out in the best way.
Basic Ingredients
1 liter of drinking water (preferably cold or room temperature)
3–4 tablespoons loose tea (approximately 20–25 grams; may vary depending on blend strength)
A large glass jug or jar (with a lid)
Fine strainer or cheesecloth
For serving: ice, fresh fruit, mint, edible flowers (optional)
Tip : If your tea contains dried fruit, spices or flowers, you can increase the amount slightly. For example, for a white tea-based fruit blend like Apple Martini, 4 tablespoons is ideal. For a rooibos or oolong-based tea, 3 tablespoons may be enough.
Brewing Stage: Flavor Comes with Patience
Prepare the tea:
Take an appropriate amount of your chosen Mama Ram tea blend. Place it in the bottom of a wide-mouthed pitcher or glass jar.
Add the water:
Pour room temperature or cold drinking water over the tea. Do not stir – the tea leaves and ingredients will slowly dissolve into the water.
Close the lid and place in the refrigerator:
Cover the jug and leave it in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, preferably 24 hours. During this process, the contents of the tea will gradually be released, no aroma will be burned, and no astringency will occur.
Strain:
Once the brewing is complete, strain your tea through a fine strainer or cheesecloth into the pitcher. You can discard the remaining fruit and flowers or use them for serving.
Serve:
Serve with ice. If you wish, you can enrich the presentation by adding the fruits and herbs in the content. If you want to sweeten: a small amount of honey, agave syrup or fruit puree can be preferred.
Flavoring and Presentation Suggestions
Fruit pairings:
Apple Martini → green apple slices
Piña Colada → pineapple and lime slices
Shirley Temple → pomegranate seeds and cinnamon stick
Ice recommendation:
Flavored ice cubes prepared by adding mint, strawberry or lavender create a difference in both visual and taste.
Garniture:
You can create a “gourmet” atmosphere with natural touches such as edible flowers, fresh basil leaves, and dried orange slices.
Cap preference:
Transparent glasses or glass jars with lids (mason jars) make your ice tea look even more attractive.
Storage and Freshness Information
Strained cold brew tea will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
If you leave it to sit without straining, the tea may start to become bitter.
Always check by smelling and tasting before drinking.
Cold brewing not only allows the tea to emerge as it deserves, but also the fruits and spices. The iced teas you will prepare at home this summer with Mama Ram's characterful blends will not only refresh you - they will open a window from your kitchen to the world with every sip.
Advantages of Cold Brew Method
Cold brew is not just a method of preparing a drink; it is a tribute to naturalness, simplicity and slowness. This method not only reveals the content of the tea in a different way, but also transforms the character, effect and area of use of the drink. Here are the main advantages of this method:
A Softer, More Balanced Drink
Teas brewed quickly with hot water often contain high levels of tannin (bitter/astringent taste). This can cause a dry palate, especially in black and green teas. In the cold brew method, tannin release decreases, so your tea will have a velvety, soft and elegant taste. This difference is especially noticeable in fruity and floral Mama Ram blends.
Less Caffeine, More Comfort
Hot water quickly dissolves the caffeine in tea, whereas cold brewing does so much more slowly. This means that cold brew tea contains less caffeine than hot brew tea. Cold brew is a great alternative for those who don't want to be too stimulating during the day, or who experience palpitations or stomach sensitivity in hot weather.
Slow and Layered Release of Natural Flavors
Especially blends containing fruit, flowers and spices dissolve sequentially and gently in the cold brew method. A note that comes in the first sip can give way to another aroma in your second glass. While the apple note of Apple Martini comes to the fore in the early hours of brewing; lemon grass and white tea character balance over time. This multi-layered drinking experience is not felt as clearly in hot brewing.
Natural Coolness, Without Unnecessary Sugar
Cold brew teas usually don’t need any added sweeteners, thanks to their mild flavor profile, making them a healthy and refreshing alternative to sugary drinks. For a sweet tooth: Fruity teas (like a Shirley Temple or Piña Colada) provide natural fruit sweetness with cold brew.
Stomach Friendly and More Comfortable Digestion
Teas prepared with the cold brew method are easier to digest thanks to their low tannin and low acidity. Especially in hot weather, cold brew is a great comfort for those looking for a gentle alternative that does not upset the stomach.
Versatile Use
Cold brew tea is not just for drinking on its own; it also:
Base for cold cocktails (alcoholic/non-alcoholic),
Refreshing addition to smoothies,
Making fruit tea cubes by pouring them into ice cube trays,
It can be used as a liquid base for recipes such as porridge.
In short, cold brew tea opens up creative spaces in your kitchen.
Aesthetic and Ritual Contribution to Summer Routines
Cold brew offers the pleasure of preparing your drink in the morning and drinking it cool in the evening. Even the preparation process itself can become a kind of ritual. A beautiful jug, natural ingredients, a carefully selected tea blend... All together create small moments of happiness that invite you to slow down in the summer.
Cold brewing isn’t just about consuming tea differently — it’s about listening to the nature of tea, connecting with time, and giving your body the gentleness it deserves. Mama Ram’s natural and balanced blends are the ingredients that do justice to this method.
The Most Natural Coolness of Summer is at Your Fingertips
Summer is the time for light flavors, not heavy meals; not artificial drinks, but essences offered by nature. For this very reason, cold brew tea is not just a drink — it can be a way of life that cools you down and accompanies the slowing down of time.
As Mama Ram, we design each blend not only to be flavor-focused but also to be in harmony with the body and nature. The special blends we create with fruits, flowers, leaves and spices become simpler, calmer and deeper when combined with the cold brew method. It not only quenches your thirst with every sip; it turns into a break you give yourself.
This summer you too can:
Additive-free,
No need for added sugar,
If you are looking for iced teas that appeal to your body with their content and to your soul with their appearance, homemade cold brew iced tea is for you.
And remember, this is not a prescription, it is an invitation. To slow down your rhythm, to brew your tea patiently, to reconnect with nature…
Welcome summer naturally.
Stay cool.
Stay light.
With Mama Ram…
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